Hello Mary Lu

Afternoon again Skating Fans,

Today was the second full day of World Class Competition at the US Roller Nationals. Because I have a life and needed to get some other things done, I wasn’t able to watch all the World Class Senior Figures today as I normally would have been. However I was able to see other events this afternoon including Junior Team Dance and Junior- WC Junior Pairs.

I’ll be putting up more cell phone pictures of screen captures over at Flickr as I have the time.  Feel free to join us over on the Chat Area over at the Skatelog Forums during most evening events.

Tuesday, July 22nd

JUNIOR TEAM DANCE
1. # 6 Anthony Deluca / Chelsea Hinkle- Delanco, NJOOI
2. # 5 Jonathan Liberman / Julianne Mizer- Fountain Valley, CAI29
3. # 10 Curt Craton / Angela Bown- San Bernadino, CA076
4. # 9 Thomas Schneider / Marissa Barrett- Brookpark, OH008

WC MEN FIGURE P1
1. # 4 Kyle Turley- Spring, TX231
2. # 3 Anthony Peck- Lynwood, IL070
3. # 5 Charles Manchee- San Diego, CA126
4. # 7 Jonathon Cross- Spring, TX231

WC WOMEN FIGURE P3
1. # 10 Niquel Garcia- Roseville, CAI47
2. # 11 Laura Wright- chester, VA054
3. # 4 Cassandra Miller- Ashland. VA082
4. # 8 Heather Menard- Spring, Tx231

Junior Pairs
1. #201 Philip Gibson / Kailah Macri - Redwood City CA, CA043

Junior World Class Pairs
1. #101 Alexander Poland / Mackenzie Wriedt- Sarasota, FL
2. #102 Richard Sorenson / Allison Bolt - Lombard , IL
3. #103 Austin Shanz /  April Shanz -  Hagarstown, MD

JUNIOR SOLO DANCE
1. # 8 Nicole Leonard- Fountain Valley, CA129
2. # 11 Jonathan Liberman- Fountain Valley, CAI29
3. # 6 Eduardo Gravina- Redwood City, CA043
4. # 12 Thomas Schneider- Brookpark, OH008

Tags:  Skatelog Forum,  Adult Roller Skating News, USA Rollersports, Roller Skating, Roller Figure Skating, Precision Skating, Production Numbers, Skate Dance, Pairs, Freestyle.  skate log forums,   skating, skate, Artistic Skating, US Roller Skating National Championships, "World Class Junior", "World Class Senior", "WC Junior", "WC Senior", "Roller Skating", "Artistic Roller Skating", "Roller Skating", "Roller Figure Skating", "US Roller Nationals", "US Roller Figure Skating Nationals", "2008 US Roller Figure Skating Nationals", "2008 US Roller Skating National Championships", "Skate Dance", "Pairs", "Freestyle". "Singles", "Dance", "Free Dance"

‘Afternoon or Good Evening Skating Fans,

Today was the first full day of World Class Competition at the US Roller Nationals. I was up fairly early this morning to watch the webcast of the World Class Junior and Junior School Figures.

I’ve set up cell phone pictures of screen captures over at Flickr. 

Sunday, July 20th

SENIOR SOLO DANCE
1. # 2 Joseph Farias- Whitrnan, MA052 (Here’s a link to Joey on You Tube before nationals.)
2. # 3 Julianne Mizer- Fountain Valley, CA129
3. # 1 Melissa Cunningham- Chico, CA048
4. # 4 Emily Williamson- Whitman, MA052

OPEN FREE DANCE
1. # 6 Anthony Deluca / Chelsea Hinkle- Delanco, NJOO1
2. # 2 Edwardo Gravina / Taylor Rossi- Redwood City, CA043
3. # 4 Jeffrey Shuman / Asia Snyder- Wilbraham, MA057/Waterbury, CT033
4. # 3 Christopher Boike / Heather Boike- Greenacres, FL062

Monday, July 21st

JR MEN FIGURES
1. #205 Gustavo De Melo- Redwood City, CA043
2. #204 Joseph Farias- Whitman, MA052
3. #203 Jeremy Tyrrell- Roseville, MI056
4. #201 Thomas Schneider- Brookpark, OH008

JRWC MEN FIGURES
1. #I 01 John Burchfield- Kissimmee, FL133
2. #I03 Michael Cooper- North Tonawanda, NYOOI
3. #I 02 Christopher Boike- Greenacres, FL062
4. #I05 Khary Armstrong- Livonia MI028

JR LADIES FIGURE
1. #208 Kailah Macri- Redwood City, CA043
2. #214 Katharine Michener- Youngs, NJ026
3. #206 Liana Picinich- Delanco, NJ001
4. #205 Jade Macri- Redwood City, CA043

JRWC LADIES FIGURE
1. #114 Jessica Feuerstein- Kissimmee, FL133 (Jessica at 2007 JW Figures on You Tube)
2. #106 Brittany Adams- Canton, MI1 14 (Brittany at 2007 JW Figures on You Tube)
3. #110 Erica Sheley- Sarasota, FL128
4. #103 Catlin Busillo- Delanco, NJ001

SENIOR WC SOLO COMP DANCE
1. # 12 Joseph Farias II- Whitman, MA052 (Here’s a link to Joey on You Tube before nationals.)
2. # 11 Anthony Peck- Lynwood, IL070
3. # 6 Audrey Schnell- Melbourne, FL018
4. # 1 Lindsay Hinkle- Delanco, NJOO1

Tags: Skatelog Forum,  Adult Roller Skating News, USA Rollersports, Roller Skating, Roller Figure Skating, Precision Skating, Production Numbers, Skate Dance, Pairs, Freestyle.  skate log forums,   skating, skate, Artistic Skating, US Roller Skating National Championships

Morning Skating Fans:

Last night kicked off the USA Rollersports webcast of the 2008 US National Roller Figure Skating Championships, live and direct from Perishing Auditorium. While finding the link for the webcast is like searching for a needle in a haystack, you can go directly to the webcast by linking to http://www.tvmr.com/USARS-NET.html. It appears the NGB has found a way to help pay for the webcast by framing the actual webcast screen with advertising from the various skating vendors, which creates a cluttered screen, but does make the stream accessible to everyone for free vs. a paid situation like ice skating’s Ice Network.   While the webcast started a few minutes late, as TMR who tapes the National Championships does not webcast the practices prior to the actual competition starting. All in all they appear to be doing a good job.

Last night events were basically World Class Junior and Senior Eliminations and American Free Dance Events. What was sad was that the stands were nearly empty– as the kids and adult skaters have not arrived. It certainly would have helped motivate the skaters more. More on the placements as they become available.

The Official Schedule of Events is here.

Many of us will be in the Skate Forum’s Chat Room during the evening events to "virtually watch Nationals" and chat in our bunny slippers. You’re welcome to join us!  http://www.skatelogforum.com/chat-room.htm

Tags: Skatelog Forum,  Adult Roller Skating News, USA Rollersports, Roller Skating, Roller Figure Skating, Precision Skating, Production Numbers, Skate Dance, Pairs, Freestyle.  skate log forums,   skating, skate, Artistic Skating, US Roller Skating National Championships, "World Class Junior", "World Class Senior", "WC Junior", "WC Senior", "Roller Skating", "Artistic Roller Skating", "Roller Skating", "Roller Figure Skating", "US Roller Nationals", "US Roller Figure Skating Nationals", "2008 US Roller Figure Skating Nationals", "2008 US Roller Skating National Championships", "Skate Dance", "Pairs", "Freestyle". "Singles", "Dance", "Free Dance"

As many of you know I have a Broadcast Radio and Television background thanks to a family who started in the business with the same zeal as I got into the computer industry years ago. However the one area of the stations I was never allowed to play in/on was the towers. They are just too dangerous for a variety of reasons, despite the structures resemble adult jungle-gyms. Don’t ever let it fool you. Tower Climbing is a very dangerous business.

At home the Climbers were guys we always had the utmost respect– because it took a combination of skill and insanity to scale the stairways to the airwaves which keep the stations onair.

Well tonight it appears that NBC Dateline Presents is going to show "Tower Dogs: The hour-long broadcast goes up close and personal to give a no-holds-barred look at tower dogs’ lives – up in the air and on the ground." "Tower Dogs" airs TONIGHT on Monday, July 21 at 10:00 PM/ET.

Here’s to you guys!

Tags: Tower Dogs, Tower Climbers

Hi there! With 2008 USA Rollersports National Championships just around the corner I know there will be more of you paying attention here– so welcome to all the skaters, friends and skating alumni who make the annual trek for the latest news and information I can extract for everyone.

As most of you know USA Rollersports is in the middle of moving from the old website at www.USARollersports.org, to it’s new home at the US Olympic Committee website at: http://rollersports.usoc.org. Why this is being done especially just before Nationals is beyond my pay grade! But I can see that Mike Stieb, USA Rollersports Webmaster and Chief Network Guru has been working his tush off trying to get it accomplished as smoothly as possible. (Kudos to Mike!) Mike’s one guy in Lincoln that never gets enough respect or kudos for what he does.

This situation has made it tough for him to host the live feed from Nationals on the USA Rollersports site, so it appears that Television Mobil Sales will be directly hosting on their site for all of us. Be polite and be sure to send them a nice note of thanks to both Mike and TMS for sharing the feed with us.

A few of us who frequent Kathy Fry’s Skatelog Forum have assembled about all of the 2008 Roller Figure Skating Regional Placements who are eligible to skate this year’s US National Championships. I believe this is the first time this has ever been accomplished to publish the names openly online to recognize our skaters in a public space online. We are only missing the SE Region’s Placements or we would have 100% of the skaters listed. If someone has the list, I’d be happy to include it, if you are not willing to register for the forum. Just make a note in the comments section of this post with your email address and I’ll get back to you ASAP.

For those of you attending Nationals, you are welcome to leave comments here and in  Kathy Fry’s Skatelog Forum regarding Meet Ups. I know there are quite a few of the Skatelog Forum who are planning on meeting up at various times, especially during the Adult Section of Nationals. So use the online groups here to plan on seeing people and enjoying your trip to Lincoln as much as anyone can enjoy a trip to Lincoln, NB in the middle of the month of hot and humid July.

During Nationals (which I am going to try to attend,) I will be posting news, placements and photos here and over with the new Yahoo Mail Group: Adult Roller Skating News you may want to take this opportunity to sign up. Last minute changes and important info can be streamlined to your email box– just remember to unblock the email address from your spam filters.

A couple people asked me why I’m sponsoring or what am I getting out of sponsoring the Adult Skating News. I want to take this opportunity to briefly explain so there is no misunderstandings. 1. The newsgroup is not something I’m getting paid for doing. 2. I am doing it because I am personally tired of not seeing my fellow Adult Skaters (and friends,) get the respect for the years of supporting the sport, which makes us the Rodney Dangerfield of Skating. 3. The reason I want your real name and affiliation is to be able to know exactly who’s getting the news and who’s sending me tips (which you’re all welcome to do!) This keeps the place civil and avoids those nasty personality conflicts we’ve all seen too many times. And finally 4. It is my hope this newsletter will keep us a tight group of people who can share and enjoy the sport for a long time to come, while growing as a solid resource Lincoln will come to know and understand. Lofty ideas? Yes. But it can be done with your help and support, so join us today and share this link with your friends.

Tags: Skatelog Forum,  Adult Roller Skating News, USA Rollersports, Roller Skating, Roller Figure Skating, Precision Skating, Production Numbers, Skate Dance, Pairs, Freestyle.  skate log forums,   skating, skate, Artistic Skating, US Roller Skating National Championships

Speed Link: http://rollersports.usoc.org/event/event/50 Correction: http://rollersports.usoc.org/event?tag_id=1154 They are webcasting NOW!

Again, these links take you to Television Mobil Sales, the company who tapes Nationals. They have a link for the live Internet feed at http://tvmr.com/store.html  It is my understanding the feed will be free. 

From what I can determine by plugging around, it appears they are going to be using a Windows Media Player application again this year for you to view the feed. I’d suggest you get your Media Player upgraded and get ready at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/default.mspx now.

In honor of the weekend, here’s the Wasabi Deviled Egg Recipe, cobbed in variation from the book

"Deviled Eggs" by Debbie Moose

Makes 12 eggs

2 Teaspoons Wasabi Powder (Or I have used the paste Wasabi in a tube about 2 1/2 Tablespoons.)

6 hard-cooked eggs, peeled, cut in half, and yolks mashed in bowl

2 Tablespoons sour cream

2 Tablespoons & 2 Teaspoons prepared Horseradish (or you can ax the Horseradish and add little more Wasabi)

1 teaspoon of Dijon Mustard

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

Salt and Pepper to taste

Parsley for garnish

1. Mix the wasabi powder and with just enough water to make it a paste and allow to sit for 15-30 minutes.

2. Combine the mashed yolks with the sour cream. Stir in the remaining ingredients.

3. Pipe or fill into the egg whites and garnish.

These do get better if they get to sit for a hour… but are totally irresistible. Yummmmmy

Tags: Wasabi Deviled Eggs, Deviled Eggs, cooking

The Last Supper
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mwehmeier/sets/72157604733795195

About the set
The Pharmacy Staff had a dinner for Doug’s Departure from GEMMC. There were others in attendance, but I didn’t get those pictures… May be Doug did. We’ll see.

At the moment we are upgrading Hello Mary Lu. We have encountered several problems with the new Wordpress software. And after several hours of fighting through the upgrade– we are calling a halt to the process for the night. We will attempt to work on this sometime Tuesday.

Full Disclosure:  My long time readers know I have done a reasonable amount of Amazon linking on my weblog for years. What few bucks Amazon pays me goes directly to support the web server fees and costs associated in running this blog. So if you’re thinking I’m a budding spammer and link hacker– guess again. 98% of all the links on HelloMaryLu.com to Amazon are books or items I either personally own, or recommend.

However a couple things are changing, but don’t think you’re going to get over run with ads here…  Here’s what’s happening.

1. Recently Dr. Doug and I decided it was time to thin out the warehouse– er house of a bunch of things we were not using, or ever going to use. Most of it is new or nearly new items, maintained and kept by an anal retentive couple of techies, who probably take better care of our "tech toys" and our animals than most people care for their own children.  So after looking at the fees on Ebay and other sites we decided we’d start listing stuff on Amazon and Craig’s List to thin out the volume. What won’t list there may go to Ebay.
2. We have friends in the Tech Business. A lot of friends, whom we’ve cultivated over years of being in the business. These friendships lead us to access of a real treasure chest of new, nearly new and factory refurbished tech toys, just looking for a home. A recent trip yielded a few goodies that I’ve put up on my Amazon Storefront which supports the web server fees  "Hello Mary Lu"  I will be telling you more about some of these as I list them.
3. The other thing is a raft of Remote Controls we are going to be putting up for sale on Ebay or elsewhere. These came from the closing of a major retailer who was clueless how to market them. I just finished photographing them and they go up this week.
4. And finally we have a boat load of books– some good books and technical stuff, but many books of these books I inherited from a family member who was and still is totally into Romance Novels, a reading genre you will never catch me reading– no matter how great Fabio looks on the cover. Gotta go! So they’re going up for sale this week. 
5. And finally I am talking to a retailer and a publisher who wants to publish my line of sewing patterns. It is about time I grab a hold of the right to publish my patterns of the past 20 or more years and share them.
6. Should we make a fortune, it goes into a retirement fund.

So today I posted the following special bargains:

Duct Tape Wallet: We’ve got one of these beauties for the person who loves Duct Tape and can’t live without completely Duct Taping their life. The wallet is a commercial well made wallet which is a bi-fold, with room for credit cards, cash and four photos. It’s brand new– Get yours here from me on Amazon– today for $6.99.

More to come… later!

Tags: Duct Tape Wallet, Duct Tape, Amazon Storefront,  Griffin RoadTrip, iTalk, Griffin RoadTrip iPod, iPod iTalk

True Confession Time: I am a Craig’s List-o-holic.

We interrupt your regularly scheduled webzine to discuss a matter of public importance…

As a regular reader and shopper via America’s Want Ads, AKA Craig’s List, I have come to the opinion that most people are clueless when it comes to writing a decent ad copy, This causes readers, like yours truly, to spend countless additional hours trying to sort through the ads, and writing countless notes to supposed sellers in the hope of getting a response to either close the sale or at least facilitate a conversation to insure we are not mutually wasting our time. So consider what I’m about to say as a PSA (Public Service Announcement.)

At the moment I am searching for a couple replacement appliances for the kitchen in the hope of saving a few bucks as well as helping someone unload some things they no longer need. However tonight I spent over two hours searching for what I want–

1. When writing an ad for something like an appliance please give us all of the necessary information so we can make a reasonable decision to contact you about closing a sale.
2. Please includes the manufacturer, model, color and size. Should you be so inclined it would help to give the specifications, even through a weblink to a company website. If not at least sketch out all the details of what the item can and will do.
3. Give us an honest evaluation of the condition and it’s value.
4. A picture or two (like above) would be nice. Even a cell phone photo is better than nothing.
5. Give any background info, like how long you’ve owned it, any repair information, records, invoices, warranties.
6. And last but not least– solid and honest contact information– in which YOU the SELLER will contact ME the BUYER back in a timely fashion
7. THEN DO IT!

The Reality Check: Remember not all buyers are flakes. Yes there are some– but for the most part, we CL’s are trying to purchase an item at a reasonable price. For my part as the buyer, I will do what I will do what I say and not attempt to insult your intelligence. If not you do have the right to banish me to the Hinterworlds!

If done right– using Craig’s List It can be a rewarding experience for both of us!

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming! Thank you!

Tags: Craig’s List, Craigs List, craigslist

Every year I do several major gigs as a professional event photographer with Peter Louis ( left,) who plays Santa Claus during the holidays. We do holiday and home events, schools, hospitals and parties– you name it, we do it. If your in the Los Angeles area Call or email us and we’ll even book you now for the upcoming 2008 holidays.

Over the past three years I’ve shot over 1000 pictures of kids on Santa’s lap, most are photos you would be happy to put on the mantle, send to the friends and family, and put in the family photo album. Peter, er Santa and I work very hard to make the kids feel welcome and happy. In all these years there has only been one little girl who nearly refuses to sit on Santa’s lap to get her picture taken.

Well tonight someone, who shall remain nameless sent me a link to Ellen’s site where she asked her viewers to send in their "Bad Santa Photos." The one on the right AKA "Number 21"  was submitted by Jen Desillier is best summed up as follows:

Wordpress has announced WordPress 2.5, the culmination of six months of work by the WordPress community. With this change comes a number of serious upgrades to their software. The new version is wonderful and makes writing easier. Only problem is that the upgrade and all the under side applications require hours of work.

So should I look like a deer in the headlights over the next couple days, you now know why.

Tags: Wordpress

Today marks the first anniversary, or Yahrtzeit of Ron Jellse’s passing and to many skaters throughout the USA, this year has seen a number of irreplaceable World Class coaches including John Dayney and Charlie Wahlig pass away all too soon. So today in remembrance of Ron and the others, I am reminded to honor him in a most traditional way.

The Kaddish is one of the world’s oldest prayers in Judaism and the most known form is the Mourner’s Kaddish. The prayer also is the basis for the Lord’s Prayer in the Christian faith. It is tradition that the Mourner’s Kaddish is said to express the mourner’s love of God and acceptance of God’s will, even while the mourner is feeling great loss and remind the living who honor the dead to not lose their faith because of a loved ones passing. The prayer is said on the Yahrtzeit or anniversary of the honored person’s passing.

It is my hope that this day serves as a remembrance of Ron, and the other coaches, who taught many of us to not only be Champion Skaters, but good, decent, productive and ethical members of the human race. It is a good day to renew our dedication to the sport we love and to one another.

Despite my distance it is apparent this year has been a difficult time for many of Ron’s students to cope with the loss of him as their coach. Several of you have just began to reach major steps in their climb up the competitive mountain and to have lost your courageous mentor and coach far too soon. But your loss of Ron and how you conduct yourself to continue will be the ultimate test of your resolve. Just remember you are not alone. Remember the greatest gift Ron’s gave to you is a solid fundamental background and a demand for excellence as skaters and individuals. The coaches who have stepped up to work with you have done so out of respect for him and understanding of your needs. Rise to that challenge and make his memory proud. No matter what you will succeed. Remember we are all cheering for you.

Tags: Ron Jellse, John Dayney, Charlie Wahlig, roller figure skating, artistic skating, skating